The relentless rain yesterday didn't stop and the heavy dark clouds overhead weren't exactly cheery. It was one of those days that the lights are on all day and you stay resolutely indoors if you can.
The sort of day when you feel the urge to bake. The thing was, I didn't really know what I fancied to make or eat. Time to sit down then with a hot drink, and rifle through my cookbooks for something to tempt and inspire. I didn't want to make a huge cake or something too fiddly, and I'd already made homemade biscuits and shortbread earlier in the week.
Luckily, Mary Berry came to the rescue.
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This is a signed copy of her book which was published back in 2005, and given to me for my birthday that year by my lovely neighbour Sharon. Such a useful present, I've been cooking from it ever since.
There are lots of recipes that are speedy to make, or can be prepared well in advance if you have got friends or family coming around for drinks or a meal. Some are fancier than others, (quails eggs, prawn bloody marys anyone?) Some take longer but really, these are uncomplocated dishes which pass the taste test whatever the occasion.
There's other recipes though that are tried and trusted by me - for example the wonderful parmesan and pistachio nutters. Such easy, delicious biscuits, and then a very moreish mango spiced dip and everyone always wants these recipes.
Starters, fish dishes, vegetarian,and meat main courses and puddings are featured and there's some chicken dishes I've relied on in past years, and really fancy trying again. Being reminded of Five spice mango chicken again makes me vow I will make it again soon, as well as the mini suasages with mango chutney and sesame seeds which we all love.
There's a chapter though, which has proved its worth time and time again, and that's Chapter 6, Tea for a crowd.
Mary Berry has opened up her garden for years in the summer in aid of the National Gardens Scheme charity, and so there's a wealth of teatime treats to make in large quantities. A variety of prepare ahead sandwiches, easy but tasty traybakes, cakes and what are called modestly(!)
"The Very Best Scones"
Actually Mary is right. They are. Light, fluffy and fail-proof. Just the sort of thing when you catering for a crowd, or a school fete or a charity event
And that's what I decided to make yesterday. Not for any of those reasons. Hot scones with cream and jam, to satisfy my urge to bake on such a dismal, dreary day but also something with the promise and taste of summer gardens and strawberry jam.
They really are a doddle to make - prep time is 10 minutes, cooking time is 10 minutes and makes 40.
The Very Best Scones
Ingredients
900g 2lbs self-raising flour
8 teaspoons baking powder
175 gm 6oz butter
100g 40z caster sugar
4 eggs
500ml 18 floz milk
Method
Preheat oven to 220 deg C, Fan 200 deg C, Gas mk 7 and lightly grease 2 baking trays
1.Measure the flour and baking powder into a food processor( I used my Kitchen Aid stand mixer) Stir in the sugar.
2.Beat the eggs until blended and make up to agenerous 600ml (1 pint) with the milk. Put aside about 4tblspoons of the egg and milk in a cup for glazing the scones later. Pour the rest of the mixture to the dry ingredients until you have a soft dough, It’s far better to have it on the wet side ,sticking to your fingers as the scones will rise more.
3.Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and flatten it out to a thickness of about 1-2 cm . Use a 5cm (2in) . Gently push the remaining dough together, knead very lightly then gently push the remaining dough together, knead very lightly then re-roll and cut out more scones as before.
4. Arrange the scones on the prepared baking trays and brush the tops with the reserved egg/milk . Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 to 15 minutes until the scones are well risen and golden. Coolon a wire rack, covered with a clean tea towel to keep them moist.
5.Serve as fresh as possible , cut in half and spread both halves with jam. Top with a good spoonful of thick cream.
NB I made 20 scones (halved the recipe) and I used 284 ml of buttermilk instead of milk.
If you are cooking for a huge gang, Mary Berry recommends you will need about 1.3kg (3lbs) of jam and about 900ml (1 and half pints) of cream for 40 scones.
Menwhile, I have bookmarked a couple of recipes which I need to make again soon.
That's the thing about Mary, her years of experience mean that all her recipes work, I've never had a duff one which has gone wrong. Everything you need to know is carefully explained and her huge repertoire of flavours and shortcuts in this book make it a winner.
Fast Real Food was published in 2005 by Headline Publishing.
